#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Food and Life

Gift Ideas: Uncommon Goods {Wine Barrel Lazy Susan}

December 5, 2013 · Narrative

Looking for unique gift ideas for everyone on your list? Allow me to introduce you to Uncommon Goods.

lazy susanI have a note stored on my phone where I keep a running list of gift ideas for friends and family. I add to it throughout the year, as inspiration strikes, so I’m not scrambling at the last minute, desperate for the perfect present. Some of our crew are harder to shop for than others, so when I scored a pretty awesome, totally unique gift for my Dad a few weeks ago at a vendor show I was doing, I was beyond stoked. Like, I felt like it totally took the pressure off of everything else. Now to just hope that he likes it…

The folks at Uncommon Goods reached out to me a few months back, inviting me to check out their gift ideas and they kindly offered to send me something of my choosing. And that’s when it began to get difficult.

I wanted to pick something that I knew we could get a lot of use out of with our regular entertaining, and I wanted it to be something that I loved, but knew I wouldn’t buy for myself.

Because there’s always a more practical need, just waiting in the wings…

And then I saw it.

The Wine Barrel Lazy Susan.

Lazy Susans have been around forever. I am fairly certain that both my Mom and grandmother had one, and it just reminds me of something old-fashioned, but, more importantly, something that has withstood the test of time.

And so it was.

When the box arrived at our front door step, I was a little put off by the size. It was huge. And the Lazy Susan filled up the entire thing. I immediately thought it would be too big, but I carried it over to the dining room table to give it a whirl (both figuratively and literally) anyway. Handmade in Texas from reclaimed wood, these pieces are fashioned from retired wine barrels. Every one has a distinctive seal on it, and, I’ve got to say, the oak wood is gorgeous. As in stunning. Like you want to just sit and stroke it.

And ever since that moment, the Lazy Susan is used on a daily basis. When we’re entertaining, we put either a few dishes on it, to make it easy for everyone to reach the plates and serve themselves, or I’ll put a stack of plates, napkins, and utensils on instead. When we’re not having company over, we either have a seasonal decoration on it (like right now, there is a silver mirrored tree), or all our vitamins and salt and pepper shakers.

It’s seriously a wonder that we survived as long as we did without it. And it just might be the perfect gift for a special recipient on your holiday gift list. Although it is a little on the spendy side, Uncommon Goods actually has a ridiculous amount of affordable gift ideas for every budget, including an entire section of gifts under $25 and a whole area devoted to dining and entertaining. Which is pretty much where I spend all my time.

If you haven’t yet discovered Uncommon Goods, it’s a solid company headquartered in NYC. They have a number of handmade items throughout their site, are environmentally conscious, and donate a portion of their profits to charitable causes.

Which is pretty much my favorite type of company to buy from.

*Uncommon Goods did send me the Wine Barrel Lazy Susan gratis so I could check out their products and share with you guys … the good, the bad, the indifferent. Opinions are completely mine, and I am grateful to companies that support this blog.

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Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: gift ideas, Uncommon Goods

Comments

  1. Joanne says

    December 6, 2013 at 7:55 am

    I feel like my grandmother had a lazy susan also? Maybe? That wood is gorgeous.
    Joanne recently posted..Carrot Soup with Tangled Collard Greens and Dukkah

    Reply
  2. Meg says

    December 6, 2013 at 5:00 pm

    I love the idea of a Lazy Susan, and this one looks gorgeous! Now that we have our own home, I’m definitely getting into decorating and entertaining . . . I could see where that would really come in handy!
    Meg recently posted..And now it’s all official

    Reply
  3. Jen says

    March 31, 2014 at 8:32 pm

    Just ordered this as a wedding gift for a friend. I’m sure she will love it! I may have to get one of my own…

    Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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